Mount for machine guns



ril 19 1927.

p T. M. JERVEY ET AL MOUNT FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed oct. 9 1925 Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

ttaalzi fr Farc E.

MOUNT FORHMACHINE GUNS.

Application led October 9, 1925. Serial No. 61,'615.

(GRANTED'UNDER THEACT 0F MARGH 3, 1883; QQ'fSTAT. L. 625.)

This invention relates to a mount `for machine guns.

A machine gun in order to accomplish the purpose for which it is designedmust be provided with a mountwvhichpivhile insuring rigidity'7 stability, andease oi' manipulation oi' the'gun, is limited in Weight so as to retain its mobility.

In devising amount possessing in the highest possible degree the Jforegoing essential requirements and characteristicsl it is necessary that the resultant thrust applied to the mount be Within its base or atleast coincident with its trail leg in order `to reduce the `oscillation of the mount about-'the trail toot and also to eliminate the tendency of the cradle to slip With respect to the mount. This yinvolves a consideration of vthe position oi' the trunnions oi the gunl or the cradle with respect to the component: Jforces acting upon the gun. lVliile the theoretically correct position ot the ytrunnions may be determined at a certain point their actual location must-be established with a view to permitting unrestricted feed and ejectionot' the cartridges, movement ot' the gun in azimuth and elevation, adjustment ofthe. mount tothe liring and traveling position, and itis also desirable that the mount be capable ot supporting an antiaircraitadaptor for high angle firing.

The operation of an .automatic gun presents additional complications in that the reciprocation of the recoilingtparts is causing a continuous shifting of the center `of gravity of the gun and coupled to this is the tact that because of the .rapidity of tiring the reactions of successive shots aretransmitted to the mount in diier'ent lphases of its vibration.

The actual` location ofthe trunnions involves besides a consideration of all'v ot the foregoing factors the position Which is best adapted for varyingelevations ofthe gun.

Accordingly in thepresent invention the gun is rigidly attached to a cradle the axis of the trunnions of'which has a point which is coincident with a point in the vertical axis of the mount which is also theaxis of traverse. The cradle is so constructed that with the gun in position therein the centerl of gravity ofthe .recoilingnparts of the gun when in' battery will l'lie in a plane of the larlyr low mounting'ivhich may be-obtain-ed thereby the resultant: thrust .is applied to: the mount substantially `alongw-the line off the trail leg.

lVhile lcont'ormingto the requirements necessai-y in properly locatingv the trunnions the cradle is so-designed as not to obstruct the vertical `pintle of the cradle support Whichv is recessedqto. receive a standard for mounting .the gun for antiaircraft'tiring without removal of the cradle. Means. are also provided -i'or supporting the-.gun inl the 'exact position to receive theattaching pins.

To these andother endsg.- our invention consists .in the constructiom'l arrangement and combination of elements; @describedhereinafter and pointed out in the claims forming a` part ofthis specification.

A practical embodimentwof theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

-Wherein Fig. 1 is a :view-in sidefelevation of a mount constructed innaccordance vWith the invention; l

Fig. 2 is a plan-v View thereof with the gun removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional ivieWlon the line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. t is a reduced view in elevationshowing the antiaircra-ft adaptorrinlplace.

Referring to the drawings` byxnumerals and characters of reference:

Themount A,` whichv preferably 'assumes the form of a ftripod'support, consistsoa -head -orsocket member 5 equippedwith the usual front legs-6 and trail leg .7.

Mounted by the'socket member for movement ini azimuth is a unitary cradlesupport B comprising a yol'ze8, a centrally apertured annulan base 9 `resting /on the top of the or, GRAY,

socket member 5, and a hollow pintle 10. The yoke arms carry at their upper ends t-runnion pins 11-11 the axis of Which lies in a plane of the vertical axis ot the support, and Which mount a cradle C. The cradle consists of a pair of plates 12 connected by rods 13-13 encircled by spacing sleeves 13l and Which are so located to support the gun D in the exact position of its attachment. rlhis position is determined when the receiver of the gun bears against the ror- Ward spacer which supports the Water jacket as clearly shown in Figure 1. This provision will considerably reduce the time required to nount the gun in coming into action and will be ot special significance when, by reason of lack of cover, the. gun Creu7 is obliged to operate from a prone posit-ion.

rl"he gun is rigidly secured to the cradle in any suitable manner, a convenient atta vhment being shoivn which consists in inserting bolts 14- through apertures 1515 in the cradle plates and apertured lugs 1b-1bl on the gun. The 'lront attachment is forwardly of the cradle trunnionsf and is located in a plane perpendicular to the axis oi the gun which plane contains the center of Uravity et the gun when t-he recoiling parts are at the end of the recoil stroke. rhe center ot gravity of the gun when the recoiling parts are in battery is naturally still ilurther 'forward and is indicated at the point E substantially in prolongation ot' the trail. lnasmuch as the center ot gravity is at all times torfardly of the trunnions so to compensate t'or the natural inclination ot the gunner to bear down on the rear end of the gun, stability during tiring is assured and the direction of the resultant force of the thrust on the mount Will be substantially on the line oit the trail leg.

lonsidering now the vertical position ot the trunnions with respect to the gun it may be stated that theoretically the center line ot acceleration olf the gun should coincide with Y the center line of bore. This condition is impractical in machine guns, the i'ormer being above the latter. rllhe correct position ol the trnnnions under these circumstances has been determined to be a point midway between the two and vthey are so located in the present invention. In this position the trunnion axis has a point coincident or substantially coincident with the center of gravity ot the recoiling parts ot the gun When in battery.

With regard to the vertical position ot the trunnions with respect to the base 9 yof the Y yoke it is to be noted that in the interest ot stability this distance, which is the height ot the yoke arms, should be as small as is consistent with the maximum inclination to be given the gun. In the present mount the typical rear elevating mechanism which is generally employed is dispensed With thereby permitting greater range of movement ot the cradle and in the position of maximum elevation it will lie approximately parallel to and adjacent the trail leg. .This result is directly the effect of the favorable loW mounting ot the gun with respect to the base ol. the yoke. The rear elevating mechanism is unnecessary from the standpoint ot providing a support tor the rear end ot the gun because ot the Well-balanced features oi' the assembly.

Any suitable locking device may be provided for holding the cradle in the adjusted position ol? elevation, a preferred 'form consisting ot a headed bolt 17 mounted on the base 9 or' the support and threadedly carrying a. jamming handle 18. The cradle plates are formed with arcuate portions 12 adapted to be clamped between the locking unit. ln the drawings only one ot the crzulle plates is shown clamped, but it desired, a locking unit may readily be .made to engage both the plates.

ln iii-ing against rapidly moving aerial targets the gun must be capable or' unrestrained movement in azimuth and elevation and to this end a high mounting is desirable Accordinglu there is provided a standard if) having a swiveled yoke 2() for lirunnioning the gun and which mau be mounted vertically in the support ll without removal ot the cradle. The bolt 21 in the tripod head unit may entend upwards into the pintle so that the standard may be threaded thereon. lVhen not in use the standard may conveniently be strapped to the trail leg.

Encircling the base 9 olf the cradle snpport and resting on the socket member 5 is an azimuth scale ring 22 Whose reading tace 22 is cut at an angle ot 45 so that the reader need not be obliged to raise his head to observe the scale reading.

While in the foregoing there has been illustrated and described such combination and arrangement oit elements as constitute the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless desired to emphasize the :tact that interpretation oi Vthe invention should only be conclusive when made in the light ot' the subjoine'd claims.

lil/Te claim:

1. A mount ii'or machine guns embodying a socket member provided with legs, a yoke rotatably mounted in said member, a cradle having spaced plates trunnioned in the yoke and adapted to carry a gun between the plates, the axis ot the trunnions having a point coincident with a point in the vertical axis ot the socket member and the center oit gravity ot the recoiling'parts oi` the gun When in battery such point being in a line midway between and parallel to the center line ot bore and center line ot acceleration of the gun, said trunnions further positioned to such an alnountin rear of the centerof gravity ofthergun 'that,in battery, the center of gravity may be subsantiallyE in liney withy the -trail leg and at the end' ot recoil the center of gravity will lie lin a plane perpendicular to'fthe-center line otl the 'gun and passing through -the 'forward attachment of the gun tothe cradle, said trnnnions being also positioned but a short distance abovethe base of the yoke so thatwvhen the gun is in the position of normal elevation it will lic close to the trail leg.

2. A mount tor machine guns embodying a socket member provided wit-h legs, a yoke rotatably mounted in said member, a cradle having' spaced plates trunnioned in the yoke and adapted yto carry a gun between the plates, the `axis ot the trunnions having a point coincident with the center ot gravity ot the recoiling parts ot the gun when in battery such lpoint being in a line midway between and parallel to the center line of bore and center line ot' acceleration ot the gun, said trunnions further positioned to such an amount in rear et 'the center ot gravity ot the gun that, in battery, the center ot' gravity may be substantially in prolongation ot the trail leg, said trunnions being also positionedbut Va short distance above the base oft the yoke so that when the gun is in the position ot normal elevation it will lie close to the trail leg.

-l, A mount 'tor machine guns embodying a socket member provided with legs, a yoke rotatably mounted insaid member, a cradle having spaced plates trunnioned in the yoke and adapted to carry a gun between the plates, the axis ol3 the trunnions having a point coincident with the center ot gravity of the recoiling parts of the gun when in battery, such point being in a line midway between and parallel to the center line of bore and center line ot' acceleration of the gun, said trunnions further positioned in rear ot the center ot' giiavity of the gun both in battery and at the end ot' recoil, and said trunnions being also positioned but a short distance above the base of the yoke so that when the gun is in the position of normal elevation it will lie close to the trail leg.

Ll. A, mount 'for machine guns embodying a socket member provided with legs, a yoke rotatably mo-unted in said member, a cradle having spaced plates trunnioned in the yoke and adapted to carry a gun between the plates, the axis of the trunnions having a point coincident with the center of gravity ot' the recoiling parts ot the gun when in battery, such point being in a line midway between and parallel to the. center line of bore and center line ot acceleration ot' the gun, said trunnions further positioned in rear ot the centers of gravity ot the gun both Ain battery and at the end of recoil.

5. A mount tor machine guns embodying a tripod, a yoke rotatably mounted in the `tripod .headya cradle trunnioned infthe'yoke and adapted-to secure. a gun,theaxis ot' the trunnions havinga point' coincident with the center of gravity of the recoihng partsiot the gunlwlien in Ibattery., such point .being in a line ymidway between andhparallel to the center line ot bore and center line of acceleration of the' gun, and said trunnions 'further positioned -in` rear `of the centersro't gravity of' the gun both when in battery and at the end of recoil.

G. A mount for machinegnns embodying a support, a fyoke rotatably mounted-there on, a cradle trunnioned inthe yoke and adapted toxsecure a gun,y the axis ot: the trunnions having a point coincident witlr a point in thefvertical axis ot the fsupport'and a support, a yoke rotatably mounted thereon,` a cradle trunnioned in the' -yoke and adapted to secure. a gun, the axis otfthe tru-unions having a ypoint coincident with Vthe center ot gravity ot'the recoiling parte ot the gun when in battery'and being in a line midway between and parallel to .the center line ot' bore and the center linelot acceleration oft-the gun.

8. 'A mount't'or machineguns:en'ibodying a support, a yoke rotatably mounted thereon, a cradle trunnioned in the yoke and adapted to secure a gun, the trunnions being located midway between the center line ot bore and the center line ot acceleration ot the gun.

9. A mount for machine guns embodying a support, a yoke rotatably mounted thereon, a cradle trunnioned in the yoke and adapted to secure a. gun, the axis of the trunnions passing through the center ot gravity of the recoiling parts of the gun when in battery'.

l0. A mount for machine guns embodying a support having a trail,y a yoke rotatably mounted thereon, a cradle trunnioned in the yoke and adapted to secure a gun, the trunnions being positioned to such an amount in rear of the center of gravity of the gun that, in battery, the center of gravity may be sub stantially in line with the trail ot the support and at the end of recoil the center ot gravity will lie in a plane perpendicular to the center line of the gun and passing through the forward attachment ot the gun to the cradle.

ll. A mount for machine guns embodying ay support having a trail, a ynke rotatably mounted thereon, a cradle trunnioned inthe yoke and adapted to secure a gun, the trunnions being positioned to such an amount in rear of the center of gravity of the gun both lll() inbattery and atthe end of recoil thatthey center of gravity, in the former position,

Will be substantially in line Wit-h the traily ofthe support. 1 A y l2.y A mount for machine guns keinbodying 'a support having yatrail,l yoke; rotatably i mounted thereonA` ra cradletrunnionecl inthe lai yoke and 'adapted to secure a gun, the trunnions being; positioned in 'rear 'of the center of gravity ot'v thegun both-in battery and at the end of recoil.

- 13. A mount tor machino'guns einboclyingy a support having a trailfa yoke rotatably Y mounted thereon', and ya cradle trunnioned rtrunnions being positioned in rear ot the inthe yoke and aflaptecltto 'secure 'a gumthe normal center of jr-avityotthe gun so that said center ot gravity will bev substantially in prolongation of the trail.

14.' A' mount z.for machine guns embodying a. support having a' trail, 'ai Ayokel rrotatably i mounted:thereon. acradle trnnnioned in the yoke and adapted to secure a gon, said trim*r i celeration 'oit vthe 'gun andy but a short flis-y ytance aboveL the base ofthe yoke so thatfin plates 'formed with apertures. tor .the re.

ception oli gun attaching,"bolts',y 'and spacers l 'connectingthe plates and positioned to snpnions being located midwaybetween the centery line of bore and; the ycenter yline oiE acthe .position of normal Aelevation thefrun will lie close tothe trail. I f f 15. A cradle -l'or machine gunsembodying -tor securi Vportthe. gun in the exact position of yits at-y tachment. l l

16. A cradle for machine guns embodying z means whereby a gun may be attached therey to and means for supporting ,they gun rinthe f exact positiony of its attachment.

1T.' .Amount for. machine guns embodying a socketmember` a yoke having a hollow rpintle, mounted thereby, and a gun cradle i trunnionecl in the .yoke and extending on either side ot' the socket member but not obstructing the. rhollow pintle whereby the lataclaptor. f

Affftripod including a .standard a cradle t1unni me(l 'in said standard, the. axis 1 of the trnnnion ot said craille having a point Ain common with thevaxis ot' rotation of the yoff the. bore of the gun.

i153. A tripod including a. standarfh .a cra- (lle trnnnionecl yin the standard `and means the center axis will liewabovethe axisfof'thebore of the gun.

' i f'rHOMAs M. JERVEY; SAMUEL, of.s GREEN,

agunin saiclcradle whereby f l gravity ot the gunwillbe .for-c ward o'l' the, trimmen axis and the ytrunnion 45 -ter mayl vertically zreceive anl antiaircraft-i 

